Book 1 Chapter 25

Chapter 24

Objectively speaking, in terms of physical talent for using magic, Rain's body is several levels below Rin's.

Both stamina and magic power.

That the noble lineage of a magic family is inferior to an orphan, it is truly lamentable.

The biggest obstacle to growth is the innate amount of magic power, but currently Rain's body doesn't even have half the magic power that sixteen-year-old Rin possessed.

‘So, I need to use magic while carefully considering magic power distribution…’

There are a total of three 3-star spells that can be used with the current magic power. But what if all the 3-star spells used that way don't work? First, let's accurately identify the enemy.

"Bell Sidious."

*Srrk*, a silvery-white star of death bloomed brilliantly in the boy's eyes, transforming all the laws of the world into mathematics and transmitting them to his brain.

┏ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ┓

The spell formation consists of two rhombuses and one decagon.

The rune symbols used are a combination of incantation-type Altigma and forbidden-type Orbios,

with a ratio of 3:7.

Size 189 Aksel, range 284 Gimite.

┗ 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 ┛

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. A 3-star dark magic… If I were to try to interfere with this using Bell Curias, with my current proficiency, my brain might be corroded by the dark poison.

‘In that case, I must blow it away with magic, even if it means risking a rebound…’

One shot.

Putting everything into a single shot.

‘A dark mage might be watching…’

Roughly hiding behind a rock where others wouldn't notice, as he spread his palm, a ring of light that negated the world's fundamental equations was born upon it, scattering an enchanting glow.

"The form of the magic circle is four layers of triangles."

Simply, four fire attributes.

Light and fire have been the natural enemies of the Abyss since the age of the ancient gods.

The familiars of the Abyss do not die when cut or stabbed. They scatter into a viscous liquid and then reform, coming back to life.

They must be completely burned, their very existence eradicated.

"Rune engraving. Yul (律), Pok (瀑), Gyun (稛), Rae (䚟)."

To the fire magic, the properties 'Yul: binds', 'Pok: scatters like a downpour', 'Gyun: ties', and 'Rae: extends like horns' are imparted.

In the center of the rotating light figures on his palm, runes were engraved as if flames were smoldering, emitting an even more intense light.

No, it wasn't just light.

Immense magic power swirled around Rain, wildly shaking the bushes and trees in the field, letting out a ghostly wail.

‘The mathematical equations to solve are fourteen polynomial functions and seven rational expressions.’

0101010001010010101, as a vast amount of mathematical equations were calculated mentally in his head, a pain arose as if his brain was burning white.

At the same time, a sharp pain arose from his core where he had squeezed out magic power to its absolute limit, and then hot blood burst from his nose and mouth.

Coordinate equation calculation in progress, complete.

Power equation calculation in progress, complete.

Inputting calculated coordinate values into all variables.

As the mental calculations were performed, the 4-star magic circle, inscribed with countless mathematical equations so intricate they were complex, was a work of art in itself.

‘Please.’

*Chaeng*, the magic circle shattered in his grip, emitting a clear bursting sound.

As all the magic power within his body, connected to the magic circle, was drained away, a dizzy spell swept over him, making his vision yellow, and Rain collapsed as if leaning against the rock.

And that small magic circle unleashed a massive wave of flame upon the world.

"Go…!"

Rae (䚟).

A storm of flame, rising in the form of horns, scorched the atmosphere and the surrounding forest black, surging towards the queen.

Yul (律).

A portion of the flame separated from it, encircling Bart's body in a circle, forming a barrier. The intense heat caused the queen to recoil her maw in pain.

Gyun (稛).

The rune of properties that collects and binds.

At that moment, the source of the flame converged as if swallowing the queen's entire body, and then, Pok, it exploded, scattering sparks everywhere like a downpour, and for a moment, color vanished from the world.

Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa─────!

Following that, a deafening roar as if eardrums would burst echoed several times through the mountains and rivers.

The wedge of flame scattered the leather, bones, and internal organs that formed the queen's body into ash, and also annihilated the Abyss energy that had writhed within her.

Fierce heat and smoke, enough to scorch skin, swept low across the ground as an aftershock, engulfing the adventurers and rat-spiders.

The reek of melted fat and flesh from living beings wafted strongly even here.

‘How pathetic. It was a spell I could use seven times and still be full of energy before…’

Rather than self-praise for success, with self-deprecating thoughts about his insufficient abilities, Rain clicked his tongue.

‘Still…’

From the suddenly formed crater, Bart was seen staggering up and looking at the queen, charred into a burnt corpse. Seeing that, Rem, as if relieved, was also seen flopping down onto the spot.

"The queen, in one shot…"

"Who is it? Such a powerful magic…"

"To use magic of this caliber, don't you have to be at least an Atlas (3-star) mage…?"

What was contained in those voices was bewilderment.

And awe, as if having witnessed a work of art… Then someone shouted.

"The rat-spiders are fleeing!"

"Don't let a single one of those damned rat-bastards escape!"

In an instant, commotion spread through the previously silent world, and Rain, sliding down, leaned against the rock and gasped for breath.

‘I mustn't, I mustn't lose consciousness…’

Dark mages exist even in this era. While there probably wasn't an era without those cockroach-like guys, I was still a bit relieved.

‘I thought I might try living a life of peaceful academic study…’

He might have been watching this situation. He might have been watching me. If I'm defenseless when he appears…

‘If I lose—’

But gradually, his vision was dyed black… and for some reason, the world was tilting sideways… and everything in the world was becoming increasingly blurry… blurry…

‘—I can't…’

* * *

"Bart! Are you okay?"

"Brother Bart, I'll treat you right away!"

As soon as the situation was settled, Rem and Sammy ran over.

His armor was dented, and blood was oozing from its seams, yet Bart stared blankly at the queen's charred corpse.

Was it because the taut tension had finally released? Rem, swayed by the rapidly amplified adrenaline, staggered and dry-heaved.

"Crazy… I never imagined in my wildest dreams the queen would have such abilities… Isn't this even missing from the Alliance (Adventurers' Guild) database?"

Is it really just an individual trait?

Just a moment ago, Bart remembered the chilling sensation of every nerve in his body twitching from the threat to his life.

‘A power that melts iron and super-fast regeneration… Was there some kind of spell's power at work?’

To annihilate such a formidable being with just a single spell, who on earth was it?

Unlike most rootless adventurers, Bart was once a disciple of the Southern Wheel Sword School, one of the eight historic sword schools known as the "One Saint and Seven Swords" in the Empire.

Even he, if Rain's shout hadn't come earlier, wondered what would have become of him by now…

"Wait, where's Rain?"

Rain was nowhere to be seen.

Could he have been caught by the rat-spiders in this chaos? Then Sammy hesitated for a moment and pointed to a rock over there.

"I saw him hide behind that rock earlier… It seems like that magic just now was used by Brother Rain."

"What?"

"The magic came from over there. I don't know why he hid when there weren't any rat-spiders around, though."

Then Rem tilted his head.

"That's strange, why hide? If you want to make a name for yourself, you should shine at times like this."

Bart composed himself, and immediately ran in that direction.

Rain was lying curled up directly beneath the rock. His whole body was drenched in cold sweat and trembling convulsively.

Tearing off his cloak and covering Rain's body with it, Bart muttered distractedly.

"This is a magic power overload phenomenon."

Does that mean this young kid really used that magic just now, in such a short time?

As if to prove it, by the flow of magic power spread out around Rain, all the bushes in the area were sharply shredded.

Rem gulped dryly, as if unable to believe it.

"So then he, uh, I mean, huh, he really did that…?"

* * *

"I have no intention of being recorded as a member of the Hero's Party?"

For the first time in a very long time, he dreamed of a distant past.

"So don't use my name."

At that time, the Empire's propagandist, who had traveled from afar, was flustered by those words and mumbled.

Having been tasked with honoring the four warriors who dedicated themselves to humanity and upholding His Majesty's will to elevate the Empire's glory, what kind of reaction was this…?

But, more than that, the Hero's Party members seemed even more perplexed.

"Why? Rin, do you dislike us?"

"…!"

"Again with the mischievous jokes. This troublesome fellow."

It wasn't a matter of disliking or joking. With an embarrassed cough, he pushed away his comrades who were pressing in on him from three directions.

"Look, my personality isn't that great, is it? I'm far from self-sacrifice. I only followed this party out of personal curiosity to begin with."

"So?"

"If someone like me is recorded as the Hero's Party mage… well, that would have a bad influence on you guys too, wouldn't it…?"

So I don't want to be recorded.

"Don't get the wrong idea! It's not because I'm thinking of you guys; it's because I feel uneasy about it."

Then the three people, for some reason, exchanged glances, and then grinned.

"Ack, what! Stop it!"

Kieh, the mute archer, stroked Rin's head dozens of times more vigorously than usual.

"You little rascal. Aren't you getting too cute lately?"

Fride, the priestess of the Fire Dragon, as if she couldn't help but find him cute, tightly embraced Rin's head to her chest.

And Rista.

That woman with pure white hair and golden eyes, knelt on one knee before Rin to meet his gaze, and smiled gently.

"Rin, you were worried about that, weren't you?"

"I told you I wasn't worried. This is just, through logical probability calculations of mathematics…"

"You don't need to try to be someone else. You don't need to change like that. Rather, that kind of thing doesn't suit Rin."

With always cold eyes and an always bored expression, what actually suits you is being more delicate and more enthusiastic than anyone else.

"But if you're really worried, you just need to form a very small habit."

"…?"

"Help the people around you. I'm not saying throw yourself into it or give all your possessions. Just reach out a little."

Then, Rin.

Everyone will remember Rin like this, explain it like this to future generations, and it will be passed down to posterity like this.

- As the Archmage of the Hero's Party.

The warmth of tears pulled his consciousness out of the fog of the dream and into reality.

Through his faintly opened eyes, the full view of the city of <Delighten>, dyed in twilight, came into sight.

The footsteps of busy passersby, the hawking of street vendors… But his eye level was unbelievably higher than usual, and his body was moving forward on its own.

"Oh, you're awake, you're awake."

A voice came from some distance below. It was Rem the archer.

"Here… huh?"

"We originally planned to let you keep sleeping, but you guys have a curfew, right? Bart is carrying you on his back to the front of the school so you won't be late, that's what I mean."

"Keep sleeping?"

Then Sammy, walking next to Rem, smiled gently.

"Brother has been sleeping continuously since he collapsed yesterday."

"Exactly! We even called a carriage to let him sleep, but how, he didn't wake up once until we got back here."

Still, various parts of his body ached as if pricked by needles, and his head was hazy with a headache. Overuse of magic power places an enormous burden on the body.

‘It's a relief that a rebound didn't occur…’

That's one thing, and it's also a relief that the dark mage didn't come looking…

As he breathed a sigh of relief, Bart, whose one hand was tightly wrapped in bandages, suddenly spoke.

"That magic, was it really you who used it?"

"…"

"Don't lie. Sammy said he saw you hiding behind the rock and casting magic."

"…I'm not exactly hiding it."

"What?"

Then Rem flinched in surprise, and scratched his head as if troubled.

"Oops, I said it wasn't your magic but a scroll because I was worried about what you might say, and now I'm in trouble. Should I change my story?"

"No, it's fine. I'm not exactly hiding it, but it's better to keep it hidden for now."

"What do you mean by that?"

His body and magic are not yet settled… It seems I've somehow avoided a potential dark mage's retaliation. It's better this way.

"I won't ask why you're trying to hide your power. What's important is that even with your circumstances, you used your power for us."

Don't say it like that.

I just needed money.

"I will never forget your name or what you did for us. I promise. I don't know when it will be, but when you need us, I will certainly repay you."

Really, it was just… that's all it was.

"Oh, by the way, Brother should take all the subjugation reward money. The merit should also be Brother's…"

"Alright, I understand."

At the immediate reply, Rem seemed to flinch in surprise for a moment, then painfully bit his lip.

"Why the face? It's my rightful claim."

"No… to be honest, I guess I expected a natural, fair distribution? I guess I expected you to coolly say, 'No, this was everyone's effort'?"

"Why is your tone suddenly like this?"

After saying that, Rain and Rem burst into laughter almost simultaneously.

"Just kidding. I only need five coins. The rest, the three of you divide among yourselves."

"No need to cut it down. This is your rightful claim."

"No. It's just paying for being brought from the Red Mountains here."

It's not like abandoning me or selling me off somewhere… With just this, I'm already greatly indebted.

"But…"

As Bart was about to interject again, Rem quickly stepped forward and gave a thumbs-up.

"You're good at this, aren't you? Bart and I are going to become the best adventurers. Investing in connections like this isn't bad, right? Right, right, right!"

Rain smiled without hiding it.

He genuinely had no intention of creating such a situation… but sometimes, it must be okay to simply accept such words happily, right?

Just like you did, Rista.

"Um, by the way, Brother Rain?"

"…?"

"You asked about Turaina earlier, didn't you? Hmm, ah, it's not accurate, and it's a particularly sensitive topic, so I don't know if I should say this… but we owe you our lives, so, *eum*…"

When Sammy spoke, carefully looking around, Rain's mouth also gaped open in astonishment.

"It seems she turned to dark magic in her later years. I also only overheard the Archpriests talking about it by chance when I was in the diocese, so I don't know the details."